ABS-CBN news reporter Dennis Datu braved the heavy rains and strong winds to cover Typhoon Quinta's disastrous descent on Oriental Mindoro.
In full view of television viewers, Dennis was seen struggling to stay in place while doing his standupper report for DZMM Teleradyo earlier today, October 26, in Oriental Mindoro.
An ABS-CBN staffer wearing a green raincoat had to hold Dennis to keep him from being carried away by the wind and stay within the shaky camera frame.
Because of the strong wind, the communication between Dennis and DZMM anchor Johnson Manabat at the studio was spotty.
Johnson talking to the crew: “Malakas ang hangin diyan sa pwesto nila Dennis Datu…
"Dennis, naririnig niyo na kami? Naku, mukhang ang epekto talaga ng…
"Dennis, naririnig mo na kami? Malakas ang hangin sa kinaroroonan niyo ngayon, ah.”
Dennis, meanwhile, was seen keeping up with his struggle to deliver his report even when he could not be heard on air.
Johnson then said, “Kita doon sa video na kinakailangang hawakan pa si Dennis ng mga kasamahan niya doon sa lakas ng hangin.”
Thankfully, sound was restored and Dennis was able to deliver his report, but with great difficulty:
“Nandito kami sa highway ng Santa Isabel, Calapan City sa Oriental Mindoro at hindi na kakayanin sa lakas ng hangin na dala ng bagyong Quinta.
“Mas matindi ngayong mga oras na ito.”
Dennis and his crew were able to train the camera on a rice field that now looked like an ocean with strong waves brought by the strong wind.
He described, “Ito ay palayan pero aakalain mo ngayon, ito ay mistulang dagat na sa lakas ng hangin, sa lakas ng alon dahil sa lakas ng hangin.”
As Dennis was delivering his report, one staffer braced him bodily against the wind, while another pushed hard against the two of them to prop them up.
The cameraman, although not seen, must be also struggling because the camera frame was shaking hard.
Dennis reported, “Napakahirap tumayo ngayon dito dahil tatangayin ka talaga ng malakas na hangin.
“Napakaraming poste ng kuryente ang bumagsak, marami na ring bahay ang walang mga bubong.”
Here is the video of Dennis' report:
Dennis’s standfast reporting under the most difficult circumstance was commended by netizens who watched the video on YouTube.
Here are some of netizens’ comments:
On Dennis' Twitter account, the ABS-CBN news reporter continued documenting on the devastation of Oriental Mindoro by Typhoon Quinta.
Here are some of his tweets:
Ano ba ang latest sa showbiz? Find out kung anong level ang showbiz IQ mo by subscribing to PEP.ph Viber Chatbot here. Join our community para laging updated!